Unlocking a Briefcase

[Watari]

For quite some time now I've had a bit of trouble opening an old briefcase of mine. I don't quite know what's in it at the moment, but I'm curious. I've googled and asked around and haven't gotten a sure answer. So I'll ask again.

How can I unlock my briefcase?
It's pretty old.. the last time I used it was probably 1999-2002..
It's a Franzen 3-digit, 0-9 number lock. I know that both sides have the same combination, but if only I could remember.
So please, help me out however you can. I've completely run out of ideas.

[robotmaxtron]

Well there's always trying every possible lock combo

[MacGnG1]

do they make brief cases with different combos on the sides?

[vitti]

Most briefcases I've encountered allow you to set your own combo so, yes, you can have different combos on each side. Back when I actually carried one I always used different combos. In my head I considered it one 6 digit combo with a big gap in the middle.

As for opening it, it would probably take less than an hour to run through the mere 999 possible combinations. Just toss it in your lap and start with 001.

[jpb06080]

you could try 000 or 001. thats the factory combo set initially for most of these locks. If you remember changing it, though, you're out of luck.

[mh]

search for "sesamee", that's a name for a similar lock.

[raimundo]

push on the button that operates the bolt, feel the wheels while pushing on that button, any wheel that is tight is not in the unlocked position but will be the first
one you need to set, move it until it is loose. (when the gate is letting the fence pass)

what also works, you can just use light pressure on the bolt and randomly spin the wheels and whenever a wheel sets, (gets in the groove and wants to stay there) move to another wheel. just let them get stuck and move to another wheel. On SOME of these locks, this can be very quickly effective.

[Watari]

I certainly remember changing it.
The thing is, being so old, the number wheels are all a bit loose. I could try all the combos, but I'd like to do something a bit easier, seeing as I couldn't sit down and concentrate on that.
Just any help you could provide would be appreciated.

[freakparade3]

Where in Iowa are you? I'm a locksmith, maybe I can help.

[Watari]

I've PMed you back.
Right now me and my son are on a last resort and are just guessing combinations..

[BraveHeart.]

could you pop it open with something??
like wedge a skinny piece of medal into both sides?

im kinda guessing here so idk =[

[Watari]

Yeah.. I could.. But I don't really want to harm the lock.
I would have already done that if I was really desperate.

[BraveHeart.]

oh ok cause i was thinken that there was like money you frogot in there or something.

[Watari]

Nah. We don't have any clue what's in it. It could be just some old papers from my office or papers of my son's.. or anything.

[inkbot2000]

you can probably feel it click differently when you turn it to the correct number on each wheel